Equitable Life pensioners a step closer to the truth

MEPs vote to establish inquiry

Strasbourg, 18 January 2006 -- The European Parliament has today voted to establish a committee of inquiry on the demise of the Equitable Life Society. Sir Robert Atkins MEP, Conservative deputy leader in the European Parliament first made the suggestion in the European Parliament’s petitions committee several months ago.

Sir Robert said:

“I am very pleased that Parliament has opted to support my request in Committee to set up an Investigative Sub-Committee to examine the Equitable Life problems.

“We were presented with a substantial petition on behalf of thousands of aggrieved policy holders who have a right to present their case in full to Parliament, and we have now given them their chance to do so.

“British Conservatives, with the support of the EPP-ED Group, have yet again stood up for the interests of disadvantaged people of Britain, Ireland and Germany who believe they have a case which has not been resolved properly by the British Labour Government.”